Name plate and sign frame



, A. E. DIEUDONNE I NAME PLATE AND SIGN FRAME Filed July 19 1926 Patented Aug. 9, 1927'.

, l ALBERT E. DIEUDONNE, on. N W IBERIA, LOUISIANA. a

ATE rric NAME rna'rn AND sIeNrRAME.

- Application filed J'uly 19, 1926. S eria1,No. 123,544.'

This invention relates to qimprovements,

in name plates and sign frames. I

One of the main objects of my invent on is to provide an improved frame which may be readily stampedfrom a sheet metal blank,

and formed in a mannerto provide anat tractive display frame for name plates, advertising or'other signs andthe like. A further object is to provide a name plate and sign frame which is equally adapt able for different positions of use. I

A further ob'ect is to provide .a frame of the above character which is simple in construction and inexpensive inmanufacture.

Other objects will be in part obviousand in part hereinafter pointed out in connect on with the accompanying sheet of. drawings 1 illustrating two of the various possible em- Fig. 5 shows a modification of the device showing the finwith certain parts broken; away.

Referringto the drawlngs 1n detail, the

numeral 10 designates a sheet metal blank stamped or otherwise cut to the substantlal 1 outline shown, and-comprising a panel 11,

upperand lower depending portions 12 and 13eforming strips, andwlngportlons 14 and 15. The gripping stripsf12 and 13 are formed by bending the depending portions along lines 16 and 17 ina relatlvely forward direction until a frame structure is formed by the strips 12 and J 13 lying parallel to the panel 11. The bend lines 16 and 17 are spaced to permit insertion of matter of varying depths therebetween. The wlng portions 1a and 15 are bent along dlagonal lines 18 and the triangular'areas 20 and 21 resulting therefrom are brought forwardly forming a base, to lie. in a plane at rlght angles to the panel 11. The mam wing portions are then bent backwardly along 11nes 22 and are likewise maintained ina plane at right angles to'the panel 11. The base portions 20 and 21 thus supportthe panel 11 in an inclined position. Holes 23 for the reception of any desirable fastening means such as nails or screws are provided in the bases 20 and 21.

There is thusprovided a frame structure resting of its own weight'on the triangular; base portions 20 and 21, which form'contacting surfaces with the object'to which the.

frame is attached, or upon which; the device rests whenthe'fframe'isused'initshorizontal'position' asshown in Fig. '2. A card.

name plate or sign 241 of eardb r or the like, is then' insertedfbe'tween the guide strips .12 and 13 andthe panel 11 so that its printed matter or pictorial representation is displayed. Superimposed on the card or nameplate 2e and similarly heldwithinthe guidestrips 12 and 13 is a glass or other transparent plate 25. End frames 26 comprisingstrips of meta-item. at right angles along their length are inserted beneath the top and bottomf'guide strips-12 and 13 to. fit'snuglyover the ends of the name plate and glass surface. It is to be noted that the relativelyitop and bottom.

strips 12and 13 are cutat an angle'as at 27 from the panel ll which is formed'sub stantially longer than the sign or. card to be displayed, permitting the angular "end portions of the guide'strips 12 and 13 to be. depressed inwardly to form a lockfor the end frames .26. Thus the end frames, glass and card andsign are fitted snugly and securely within theupper. and lower.

strips 12 and 13. r c The. abovedescribed device may be constructed in sizes ranging from a frame to be used with a desk name plateto a'frame for I displaying atraffic signal and" large as V building signs. 'Inits-horiaontal position,

the frame, as shownin Figure 2, attractively 7 displays advertisements, name plates, and

the like, and may be fastened to thesurface upon which it rests thru the medium of'the fastening holes 23 or may rest on its own weight upon its bases 20. and 21. v It is proposed as one of the numerous applications of this device to place the frame on an autoand across the'hood saddle oftheradiator,

mobile and positioned below the wind-shield as a means of name or residence identifica tion ofthe owner thereof; all offits various uses, the inclined or angular-positioning of the name plate resting uponthe panel 11 furthers easy and quick sighting. In its vertical position, as shown in Figure 4, the device has ready application as a street and trafic sign when attached to a post or a cornice of. ahouse or the like.

In Fig. 5, I have shown a modification preferably of my invention. An L.shape d back plate 28 -corresponding in dimensions to the height and length of the panel 11, is fitted thereto, and welded or soldered along its/edges to provide a closed back portion. In this form of the device and in the other embodiments.

shown, thepanel 11 may have a cutaway portionas at 30 if it isdesired to illuminate the sign as by means of lamp 31. The closed frame; structure shown in Fig. 5 without the; illuminating modification is used where a finished appearanceof the deviceis desired.

- It is evident that a two-way or combinationsign may be provided by placing two of the frames back to back, so tliatthe same or diife'rent matter may be seen when the sign is viewed from opposite directions.

' Without further analysis, the forego ng will so fully reveal the gist of this invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications withoutoinitting certain features that from the standpoint of the prior art fairly constitute" essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention, and, therefore, such adaptations should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalency of the following claims.

Iclaimz' 1'. In a frame for'signs or name Plates, a sheet metal 'blank cut to form a panel havinga cut-out portion, depending portions bentparallel thereto and spaced there- .from'to hold a sign or card between said panel and said depending portions, and

wing portions bentto form a base for said panel and to support said panel in inclined position, amemberjoined to 'said'panel and wing portions, and means positioned 'be tween said member and panel to illuminate the sign or nameplate, I

2.111 a frame for signs or name plates,

a sheetmetal blank out to form a panel,

depending portions bent parallel extending forwardly of said panel and spaced therefrom to hold asign and a transparent. plate day of July, 1926- inserted therebetween, removable strips iiiserted underneath said depending portions to maintain said sign and transparent plate n desired position, and wing portions bent at right angles to said panel and having sections-thereof bent along a diagonal to form a base for, and to support, said panel in inclined position.

'3. In a frame for sign or name plates,

a sheet metal blank cut to form a panel,.'

relatively upper and lower guide strips depending from said panel and spaced from said panel in'parallel relation thereto, wing,

portions extending at right angles to said panel, a portion of said wings being bent along a diagonal in a plane substantially perpendicular to said wing portions to provide a base which supports said panel in inclined position, and an angularly arranged. member havinga base portion and an upstanding portion, the edges of said portions being joined to the top and bottom edges of said, panel and to said wing portions to provide panel.

4-. In a frame forsign's or name plates, a sheet metal blank cut to form a panel,

relatively upper and'lower guide strips depending from said panel and parallel thereto and spaced from said panel, wing portions bent at right angles to said panel, a

portion of said wings being bent along a a closed back for said Signed at New Iberia, Louisiana, this 12th I ALBERT E. DIEUDONNE. 

